Appraisal of maternal and neonatal cord serum immunoglobulins in Indians

Abstract

Serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were estimated in paired maternal and cord serum samples collected from 100 mothers and their neonates (101 in number) at the time of normal vaginal delivery. Levels of the immunoglobulins in 20 non-pregnant age and socio-economically matched women served as the control. Factors such as parity, mild concurrent upper respiratory or urinary tract infection or anaemia seemed to be of little consequence. However, significantly low serum IgG levels were observed in the healthy primipara as well as healthy multigravida as compared to the non-pregnant women (mean 1139.5±148.3 mg percent). Cord serum IgG levels in neonates born to healthy primi and neonates of healthy multigravida were not significantly different. However, as compared to the respective maternal group these values were significantly low in cord sera in both the groups. It is proposed that transfer of IgG across placenta may not be as free as envisaged and there may be some subclass selectivity. Both preterm and low birth weight for term neonates showed significantly low IgG level as compared to the full term normal birth weight neonates. A critical analysis of data for IgA and IgM revealed the presence of IgM in six samples. Three of these neonates were born to multipara with a history of concurrent mild infection, and these had raised IgA and IgG levels. In 3 other neonates born to healthy primipara, with raised cord serum IgM, IgG level was not raised and IgA was present only in one case. It appears that detection of raised levels of all the three immunoglobulins in the cord might indicate intrauterine infection.